compiled by Spectator Sports Desk
At 14 years old, Nafisa Quashie has delivered one of the most outstanding seasons in youth football, establishing herself as a record-breaking forward and one of the brightest young talents in Antigua and Barbuda. Representing Empire Trendsetters, The Antigua Soccer Academy, and playing school football for The Antigua Girls High School, Nafisa has consistently performed at elite levels across school, club, and national competitions.
From January to April 2025, during the Girls School Football League, Nafisa dominated across divisions. She scored 12 goals in the Under 16 category to secure the Golden Boot and 13 goals in the Under 20 division to earn another Golden Boot. Her 25 goal tally was the highest across all divisions, male and female. She was also named Under 20 Most Valuable Player and overall Player of the Year for the 2024 to 2025 season.
According to the Ministry of Sports, Nafisa set multiple records during that season, including the highest number of goals at the Under 16 level, the most combined goals in a single season, the youngest player to receive the Player of the Year award, and the youngest Under 20 Most Valuable Player.
Her excellence continued into the 2025 to 2026 Schools League season from October 2025 to January 2026. Nafisa scored 19 goals in Under 16 to claim the Golden Boot and MVP honours, added 16 goals in Under 20 for yet another Golden Boot, and netted 14 goals in the Knock Out competition. She finished with 49 goals across all divisions, the highest total among both male and female players.
At club level in the CAF ABFA Women’s League from September 2025 to January 2026, she scored 12 goals in just eight matches to earn the Golden Boot and helped secure the championship title for her team Empire Trendsetters.
Internationally, Nafisa captained the national side at the CFU Under 14 Challenge Series in Trinidad in August 2025, scoring one goal in four matches and earning a Player of the Match award. She also made history as the youngest player, at 14 years and four months, to debut for the Antigua and Barbuda Senior Women’s National Team during the CONCACAF Qualifiers against Nicaragua in November 2025. Additionally, she scored three goals in three international friendlies in Turks and Caicos while coming off the bench.
Her greatest challenge during the year was balancing her academics with intense training sessions, league fixtures, and national team travel. Managing schoolwork alongside football at multiple competitive levels required discipline, maturity, and strong time management skills, which will serve her well in years to come.
Notably, Nafisa is an annual fixture on her school’s Principal List.
If she were to describe the year in one word, it would be Proud. Proud of her performances at school, club, and national levels, and proud of the progress she continues to make as one of the country’s most promising young footballers.
Winning Junior Sports Person of the Year would be the icing on the cake for Nafisa. While she already considers the nomination a win, capturing the title would be historic, especially as football has not traditionally claimed the top honour in the junior or senior categories.